November Reflection – Share Goodness: making a difference
By Quindell Ferguson
IVP for the Caribbean & Americas Fellowship, Quindell lives in the beautiful setting of Jamaica. 2018 marked the beginning of her first term as IVP.
Quindell has served the Caribbean & Americas Fellowship in many roles over the years and is really enjoying her current post.
In addition to Girls’ Brigade she is Co-Founder and Artistic director to the Jamaica Youth Theatre, Chairperson of Secondary School’s Drama Festival and the Caribbean Secondary School’s Drama Festival. She also runs a local theatre costume design and rental shop. Quindell is one of Jamaica’s leading collectors of period costumes and theatre props.
She is an active member in her church where she serves as Technical Consultant, Chairperson Fundraising and member of the Property Committee.
The Bible says, “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?” (1 Peter 3:13).
During these times of uncertainty and sadness, the thought of doing good for each other might be the last thing some of us would have in mind to do. We are unable to touch our loved ones and show them that we care, because God is good, He is a refuge in the time of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him; that is the main reason we have peace during these troubling times and the gift of the ability to share the goodness of His mercies with our neighbours and loved ones.
When we say that God is good; we are not talking merely about what He does; we are more so speaking about God’s character, who He is and who He is never changes. In Psalm 46, the Psalmist writes: “God is our refuge and strength, a present help in times of trouble.” Therefore, we can say with absolute confidence that God is good.
Goodness has a few elements that may be attributed to it. These include kindness and generosity. The primary act of sharing His goodness, is the sending of His son Jesus Christ to save mankind from sin.
During these challenging COVID-19 times, we have the golden opportunity to make a difference! When we think about making a difference, let us not fall for the myth that what we start out doing has to be on a large scale to have any lasting effect. I have learned it does not.
Making a difference begins with the belief that you can do something which will impact another life; no matter how small the deed may be. The truth be told, we who help others, also derive a measure of satisfaction, which causes us to keep on giving, keep on doing, keep on reflecting Christ’s goodness. If the motive is pure, God is pleased with our intention of ‘doing good’.
Speaking specifically to our Girl’s Brigade movement, the easiest way to make a difference which will inspire someone is to pick a Mission you care about and with God’s help, faithfully carry out the plan. God has entrusted these several girls to us. Could it be that He desires that each leader should inspire at least one girl? That seems like a noble and achievable plan to do good as God’s Holy Spirit working in our hearts and minds, refines us to reflect the nature of God.
We talk a lot in our advice about “having a positive impact”, “doing good”, and “making a difference”. What do we mean when we use these phrases?
As Officers, “doing good” or “making a difference” is a call to service, to build and promote communities by helping to transform the lives of our girls.
As a child I grew up in a family where volunteering was and still is part of our DNA. Giving to other warms our hearts, that is the reason we go all way to give the best of ourselves. My greatest joy to date is to see the light in the eyes of a young brigade member, the confidence in her step and the determination to make her corner of the world a better place.
Making small actions will feel unimportant at the time. We start out doing one thing we love and go from there. Without sacrificing anything that might be of comparable moral importance.
Jesus went about doing good, now it is our turn. Let us make a difference!
